Sporting CP president Bruno de Carvalho has rubbished reports suggesting highly-rated midfielder William Carvalho has already agreed to leave the club in the summer.
Carvalho, 22, is believed to be attracting interest from a number of European giants, including the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.
However, the Portugal international, whose current deal at the Estádio José Alvalade expires in the summer of 2018, has a massive €45 million buy-out clause in his contract.
Italian Serie A side FC Internazionale Milano have also expressed an interest in the player but the signing would likely be too expensive for the Nerazzurri, who splashed out €20 million to bring in Hernanes from Lazio in January.
Despite the aforementioned reports, de Carvalho has insisted the club are not looking to cash in on their prized asset, with UEFA Champions League football on the horizon.
“There is nothing inevitable. I am almost certain, if not absolutely certain, that William will continue at Sporting,” de Carvalho said.
“You never know when a club might appear and be interested in taking him by paying the release clause.
“Now, William is very satisfied, he is happy and so are we.”
De Carvalho added: “We are going to have a year in the Champions League [next season], a year that is very important for everyone and one in which we want to fight again, even more strongly, for the title.
“We want to have a big season in the Champions League. We are already aware of next season and our responsibilities and we are already dealing with it.
“I’ve looked and we already know what we want but we won’t talk about names of players.”
Carvalho has bagged four goals in 27 Primeira Liga appearances for Sporting, who will host G.D. Estoril Praia in their final league match of the season on 11 May, in 2013/14.
Jonjo Shelvey staying put, says Garry Monk
Swansea City manager Garry Monk has revealed the club will not sell Jonjo Shelvey amid reports linking the former Liverpool midfielder with a summer move to Newcastle United.
Shelvey, 22, has impressed since joining the Swans for a fee of £5 million last summer — scoring a ‘Goal of the Season’ contender against Aston Villa on 26 April.
Monk has responded to the uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of the once-capped England international by insisting he is not for sale.
“Jonjo is going nowhere. The club cannot afford to let a player of that calibre go because he is one for the future of this club,” Monk told Wales Online.
“He is an important player with potential and those are the ones we want at the club and we are in a healthy enough position not to have to sell.
“And I think Jonjo is happy here. It has been a difficult season for him but it’s one he has really learned from and you can see that in his form now.
“In the last few games he has really stepped up and dictated. He had a hand in all four goals on against Villa but hat’s what he can do – he’s a top player.
“He has got things he needs to work on, but he knows that and wants to learn which is the best thing. He wants to get better which can only be good for us as a club.”
Shelvey has tallied six goals and six assists in 28 league appearances for the Swans this season, while posting an adequate Opta rating of 6.96.
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